TRM tried to gauge feedback from TRM angling inmates since new regulations were introduced on 1st July. They have been interesting, if only because of the lack of any criticism compared to previous seasons’ changes. So good news for DOC! Licence costs were not mentioned at all.
Regulation changes to enhance the Taupō fishery
Introduction
Regulation changes designed to improve trout quality and benefit anglers will be in place for the start of the new fishing season, which begins 1 July 2026.
Date: 18 June 2026
The most obvious change for many people will be the increased ‘bag limit’, which increases from six to eight trout. This move aims to increase trout harvest and help maintain a healthy balance between trout and their main food source, smelt.
DOC Taupō Operations Manager Dave Conley says Taupō spawning streams are considered hyper-productive.
“This means recruitment of juvenile fish is extremely high, and harvest is an essential tool to keep numbers in check and maintain a healthy trout population.
“We operate a comprehensive technical monitoring programme which guides regulation changes and helps us to focus our efforts and efficiently deliver a world-class wild trout fishery.
“We also listen carefully to the angling community and a number of changes this year reflect this,” Dave says.
A significant regulation change will benefit anglers at Lake Otamangakau. Next season will see the fixed February closure replaced by a more responsive management approach. Weather patterns will be closely monitored and closure decisions tailored according to the heat risk to trout.
Other minor changes are designed to simplify the regulations, making them easier to understand; for example, the regulations around soft baits have been streamlined.
Additionally, to increase fishing opportunities for anglers, fly-only restrictions have been relaxed at the underutilised Otaketake and Waitetoko stream mouths.
DOC manages the Taupō Fishing District as a sustainable wild trout fishery, which attracts thousands of anglers each year, allowing people to enjoy fishing and naturing in the outdoors.
Dave says fishing regulations are designed to protect the future of the fishery.
“To support the regulations we have Fishery Rangers out on the rivers and lakes ensuring everyone follows the rules – helping to protect the fishery we love.” etc…
Background information
Rules and regulations – what you need to know will be updated 1 July to reflect the updated fishing regulations.
DOC manages the Taupō fishery in partnership with Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board. Information about the unique management structure underpinning the Taupō fishery can be found online:
Anglers comments on new Taupo Fishery regulations?
Images from TRM Facebook indicate the much improved condition of trout on the 2017 spawning runs on the Tongariro River.
Over the last week or so there have been a steady procession of anglers giving their impressions of the new Taupo Fishery regulations. Any changes always produces lots of opinions – both for and against. This has to be a healthy sign of stakeholders showing real interest in the changes. TRM Facebook has interesting comments from anglers on both sides of the argument repeated below.
Most of the comment is confined to the daily bag limit being increased from 3 to 6, and the reduction in minimum length from 40 cm to 35 cm. Most are more than happy with the daily bag limit doubled, but bewildered why the size was reduced to 35 cm when they have not landed any trout under 40cm. We repeat the most common issues for you to judge whether they are being fair or just the usual complaints from disgruntled fishos as we have never heard so much admiration for the prime condition of the trout as in the past few months.
They are almost unanimous that it is time Fish & Game took over the fishery management away from DoC (Department of Conservation). DoC still claim their link with Tuwharetoa makes that impossible, but others suggest the 1927 agreement – whereby Maori received half the licence fees – was made obsolete by the more recent amendment, whereby Maori interests now get paid directly from the consolidated fund, so the original link is no longer relevant. It appears to be more a matter of legal interpretation which anglers love to argue… DoC’s own consultants’ report recommended that one fishing licence should be applicable throughout NZ.
Also anglers are unhappy that the changes have taken too long from recommendation to implementation. i.e. These recommendations were first publicly distributed in the 2013 Fishery Review prepared by DoC’s own consultants. That means their survey was most likely done in 2012. That indicates that about five years ago, and that is far too long to get Ministerial approval and to publish changes. The state of the Taupo fishery now – as reflected by trout condition – is very different.
The usual requests for Target Taupo (DoC previously published this as their newsletter to their licence holders) and river maps continue to be ignored. Anglers constantly remind us that all Fish & Game-managed trout rivers across the rest of NZ have excellent, informative maps illustrating anglers’ access tracks, etc. Anglers argue that the Taupo region has the most popular trout-fishing rivers in NZ, generating the most income from additional licence sales, yet it is the only region where anglers cannot get a map of the most popular rivers. That is their biggest gripe.
(TRM are currently printing an update of our own local map – The Tongariro Bucket List – for the Tongariro River but the other rivers – Tauranga Taupo, Hinemaiaia, Waitahanaui, etc. have none.) Anglers suggest it should be part of their licence.